Exterior rear-view mirror for vehicles, especially for motor vehicles

Abstract

An external rearview mirror assembly is designed for a motor vehicle. The external rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror housing. A mirror glass carrier is operatively connected to the mirror housing. A piece of mirror glass is fixedly secured to the mirror glass carrier and is movable with respect to the mirror housing. The mirror glass defines a peripheral edge. An attaching part is fixedly secured to the mirror glass carrier wherein the attachment part extends about a portion of the peripheral edge.

1. An external rearview mirror assembly for a motor vehicle, said external rearview mirror assembly comprising: a mirror housing; a mirror glass carrier operatively connected to said mirror housing, said mirror glass carrier defining an insertion opening adapted to receive a plurality of different inserts; a mirror glass fixedly secured to said mirror glass carrier and movable with respect to said mirror housing, said mirror glass defining a peripheral edge; wherein one of said plurality of different inserts is an attaching part matingly engagable with said insertion opening and removably securable to said mirror glass carrier, said attachment part extending about a portion of said peripheral edge and includes a light source. 
     
     
       2. An external rearview mirror assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said light source includes a light exit surface. 
     
     
       3. An external rearview mirror assembly as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said light exit surface extends over said mirror glass interior of said peripheral edge to direct light from said light source back over said mirror glass toward the motor vehicle. 
     
     
       4. An external rearview mirror assembly as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said attachment part includes electronics housed therein. 
     
     
       5. An external rearview mirror assembly as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said electronics include a plurality of leads extending out of said attachment part. 
     
     
       6. An external rearview mirror assembly as set forth in  claim 5  wherein said light source includes a light guide to direct light emitted by the light source around said peripheral edge and toward said mirror glass. 
     
     
       7. An external rearview mirror assembly as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said attaching part includes catches for positively engaging said mirror glass carrier to prevent said attaching part from disengaging said mirror glass carrier. 
     
     
       8. An external rearview mirror assembly as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said mirror glass carrier includes a mounting bracket. 
     
     
       9. An external rearview mirror assembly as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said mounting bracket projects over said mirror glass carrier and is fastened to said attaching part. 
     
     
       10. An external rearview mirror assembly as set forth in  claim 9  wherein said mounting bracket is L-shaped in cross-section. 
     
     
       11. An external rearview mirror assembly as set forth in  claim 9  wherein said mounting bracket is U-shaped in cross-section. 
     
     
       12. An external rearview mirror assembly as set forth in  claim 9  wherein said attaching part includes a base and a sidewall connected thereto. 
     
     
       13. An attaching part adapted to be secured to an external mirror assembly having a mirror glass defining a peripheral edge, said attaching part comprising: a base; a sidewall connected to said base and extending out therefrom; catches extending out from said sidewall to positively lock said attaching part to the external mirror assembly; a circuit board fixedly secured to said base; and a light source electronically connected to said circuit board for illuminating the mirror glass. 
     
     
       14. An attaching part as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said base extends under the mirror glass. 
     
     
       15. An attaching part as set forth in  claim 14  wherein said sidewall extends beyond the periphery of the mirror glass perpendicular to said base. 
     
     
       16. An attaching part as set forth in  claim 15  including a light exit surface extending over the mirror glass interior of the mirror glass. 
     
     
       17. An attaching part as set forth in  claim 16  wherein said base includes a tapered edge to snap fit with the external rearview mirror.